Kay Whitmore says goalies will adjust to smaller pads

Kay Whitmore admits he doesn't go very far without a ruler or measuring tape.

Exactly what you would expect from the NHL's senior manager of hockey operations, who discussed the recent changes to goalie equipment Wednesday on Hockey Night in Canada Radio on SiriusXM.

The NHL and NHLPA agreed to a change in the regulation height of goaltenders' leg pads for the 2013-14 season, making them 10 per cent shorter so they don't block as much of the five hole between a goalie's legs.

"It's never going to make everybody happy, but I think most of them [goalies] understand why, and it'll be an adjustment period," Whitmore says.

"These guys are tremendous athletes. They're the best goalies in the world and they'll figure out a way to stop pucks with the new pads."